System and method for variable form handheld computer configurable via modular keyboard

Abstract

A variable form handheld computer may be configurable either as a short form handheld computer or as long form handheld computer. The variable form handheld computer comprises a variable form housing frame configurable as either a short form housing frame or a long form housing frame. The variable form housing frame comprises a plurality of handheld computing modules comprising a display module, a circuitry module, a battery module and a variable form keyboard, the variable form keyboard configurable either as a short form keyboard or a long form keyboard. The long form housing frame securely frames the handheld computing modules when the variable form keyboard is configured as the long form keyboard, and the short form housing frame securely frames the plurality of computing modules when the variable form keyboard is configured as the short form keyboard. The variable form handheld computer is configurable as the long form handheld computer using the long form housing frame, and is configurable as the short form handheld computer using the short form housing frame.

1. A handheld computer comprising:
 a plurality of handheld computing modules comprising:
 a display module, 
 a circuitry module, 
 a battery module; and 
 a keyboard selectable from a family of modular keyboards of different dimensions, each keyboard of the family of modular keyboards operable with the circuitry module, at least one keyboard of the family of modular keyboards having a plurality of alphanumeric keys and at least another keyboard of the family of modular keyboards having a subset of the alphanumeric keys; and 
 
 
       a housing frame selectable from a plurality of housing frames based on the selected keyboard, the housing frame securely framing the plurality of handheld computing modules; and the display module and circuitry module stay in a same position when each of the modular keyboards with different dimensions is selected. 
     
     
       2. The handheld computer of  claim 1  wherein the battery module comprises a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery including electrical contacts for electrical power charging when coupled to an external power source. 
     
     
       3. The handheld computer of  claim 2  comprising a connector slot adapted to secure a connector for coupling the external power source to the electrical contacts of the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
       4. The handheld computer of  claim 1  comprising a top bezel housing frame and a bottom bezel housing frame, the top bezel housing frame for detachably coupling to the bottom bezel housing frame, wherein the top and bottom bezel housing frames, when coupled, securely framing the plurality of handheld computing modules. 
     
     
       5. The handheld computer of  claim 1  wherein the battery module extends co-planarly with the circuitry module with a substantial gap therebetween. 
     
     
       6. The handheld computer of  claim 5  wherein the gap comprises a length substantially equal to the length differential between the keyboard having the plurality of alphanumeric keys and the keyboard having the subset of the alphanumeric keys as measured along a longitudinal axis of the variable form handheld computer. 
     
     
       7. The handheld computer of  claim 1  wherein the battery module physically abuts the circuitry module, the battery module and the circuitry module extending generally co-planarly within the housing frame. 
     
     
       8. A method for assembling a handheld computer, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of handheld computing modules, the plurality of handheld computing modules comprising:
 a display module, 
 a circuitry module, 
 a battery module; 
 
 selecting a keyboard from a family of modular keyboards of different dimensions, each keyboard of the family of modular keyboards operable with the circuitry module, at least one keyboard of the family of modular keyboards having a plurality of alphanumeric keys and at least another keyboard of the family of modular keyboards having a subset of the alphanumeric keys; 
 selecting a housing frame from a plurality of housing frames based on the selected keyboard; and 
 assembling the housing frame and the plurality of handheld computing modules; 
 
       to securely frame the plurality of handheld computing modules including the selected keyboard; and the display module and circuitry module stay in a same position when each of the modular keyboards with different dimensions is selected. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  further comprising providing a connector slot within the housing frame, the connector slot adapted to secure a connector for coupling an external power source to electrical contacts of the battery module.